The job of a manager is always evolving. It will depend on the nature of your team, your seniority, your industry, and many other factors.
Your management skills will develop, and you will increasingly understand how to get the best out of those around you.
Such a journey is difficult to illustrate in a factual CV, so the manager cover letter is the perfect place to showcase your personality, motivations, and softer skills. With much to discuss, writing a manager cover letter is no easy task.
Manager full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Clarke,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the position of Store Manager at Marks and Spencer (M&S). With over eight years of experience in retail management and a proven track record of driving sales, improving operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional customer service, I am confident that my skills and expertise make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Throughout my career, I have developed a deep understanding of the retail industry and have consistently demonstrated my ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve outstanding results. My strong business acumen, combined with my passion for creating a positive work environment and fostering a customer-centric culture, has enabled me to successfully manage multiple high-performing stores.
In my current role as a Store Manager at Next, I have been responsible for overseeing all aspects of store operations, including sales, merchandising, inventory management, and staff development. Through my leadership and strategic initiatives, I have achieved a 15% increase in sales year-over-year, while simultaneously improving customer satisfaction scores and employee engagement. My ability to analyze key performance indicators and implement data-driven solutions has been instrumental in driving business growth.
One of my notable achievements was the successful launch of a new store concept at my current location. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and leveraging my expertise in visual merchandising and customer experience design, I was able to create an innovative and engaging store environment that attracted new customers and increased brand loyalty. This project showcased my ability to think creatively, lead change, and deliver results in a competitive market.
I am particularly drawn to M&S's reputation for quality, innovation, and customer focus, as well as its commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. I believe that my skills, experience, and values align perfectly with the company's culture and vision, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can help drive sales, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to the overall success of M&S.
Sincerely,
Dean Edwards
Sections of a manager cover letter
Managers understand the need for due process and organised communication, so structuring a cover letter should come as second nature. There is a set format for any cover letter that hiring managers will expect, so don’t stray from the norm.
- Cover Letter Header: Share your full name, email address and mobile. You never quite know when the hiring manager might invite you to interview.
- Greeting: Find the name of the hiring manager on the job description – and take care to spell their name correctly. Attention to detail matters when you are a manager.
- Introduction: While you likely have plenty of impressive managerial achievements, start the cover letter with one that is hyper-relevant to the role. This needs to be the sort of story that few other candidates can boast.
- Body: Consider the specifics of the job description and share the behavioural skills and character traits that best fit your future role. What kind of team will you have? What will be the demands on you as their manager?
- Conclusion: Curiosity is a key quality for a manager – let your future boss know that you want to learn more about the role by saying you are keen to meet for an interview. This call to action will likely make their fingers hover over the send button for an interview invite.
- Signature: Sign off with your full name and an e-signature if needed.
Aim for a concise, one-page cover letter. This is just the start of your career sales pitch – you only need to get your foot in the door. Grab their attention.
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples from the sector:
For more inspiration, view our article on how to write a cover letter.
The manager cover letter should start with a compelling introduction that hooks the hiring manager and makes them want to read more.
Introduction of a manager cover letter
When you start a cover letter for a manager, you need to make sure that you cover the sorts of managerial tasks that will be most challenging in the next role.
Ensure that the introduction stands out, for all the right reasons. If there is not the right balance of impressive accomplishments and genuine passion for people, hiring managers will likely pass. Allow hints of your personality to shine through.
Dear Mrs. Harrison,
I am thrilled to apply for the Manager position at Basinghall. With over a decade of experience leading high-performing teams, driving strategic initiatives, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, I know that I can help your team to take the next step. My proven track record in optimising operations and enhancing profitability aligns perfectly with your goals.
Hi,
I think that managing other people is easy when you are the sort of person who knows how to have fun and not take work too seriously. When people are having a laugh in the office, work seems that little bit easier.
The cover letter should adopt a conversational tone to some degree, but there should still be a professional edge.
Make sure that any accomplishments that you share are qualified with facts and stats where possible. At the end of the day, your future employer needs a results-driven manager.
Dear Mr. Clarke,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the position of Store Manager at Marks and Spencer (M&S). With over eight years of experience in retail management and a proven track record of driving sales, improving operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional customer service, I am confident that my skills and expertise make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Manager cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, follow this formula:
- Share only the most unique aspects of your skillset
- Highlight the role specifics and why you will be a great manager
- Don’t duplicate the content of your manager CV – complement it where possible
- Share the managerial stories that you wish to continue during an interview
First body paragraph - Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
The first body paragraph should include details about how your team have developed under your guidance, as well as your direct achievements.
When your job is to facilitate the success of those around you, leaving them out of your cover letter would be strange.
Here’s how to create a team-focused narrative:
- Find the cultural fit. Will you get on with the people you will be managing?
- Talk about communication: Great leaders know how to communicate well – share an example that demonstrates this.
- Technology skills: For a modern manager to be efficient, they should employ technology wherever possible.
- Problem-solving: People will always come to you with problems – are you the sort of person to dive in and get involved?
“Talk about your management style and write a manager cover letter that is true to who you are. Ask previous colleagues about what they thought about your style. Make sure that you write in such a way that is congruent with how you will talk about yourself during an interview.”
Second body paragraph(s) - Alignment with the organisation
Culture is everything when it comes to a management interview. The employers will work incredibly hard on their internal culture – it is the managers who will shape and mould their teams. Hiring someone who is already exhibiting the same kinds of desired behaviours is a low-risk strategy.
If you have worked in a different kind of culture, that doesn’t have to torpedo your chances. Showcase your flexibility and motivation to work in the new environment. What will working in this different culture do for you, and how will it affect your work?
Use the cover letter format to make your arguments – step by step.
Throughout my career, I have developed a deep understanding of the retail industry and have consistently demonstrated my ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve outstanding results. My strong business acumen, combined with my passion for creating a positive work environment and fostering a customer-centric culture, has enabled me to successfully manage multiple high-performing stores.
In my current role as a Store Manager at Next, I have been responsible for overseeing all aspects of store operations, including sales, merchandising, inventory management, and staff development. Through my leadership and strategic initiatives, I have achieved a 15% increase in sales year-over-year, while simultaneously improving customer satisfaction scores and employee engagement. My ability to analyze key performance indicators and implement data-driven solutions has been instrumental in driving business growth.
One of my notable achievements was the successful launch of a new store concept at my current location. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and leveraging my expertise in visual merchandising and customer experience design, I was able to create an innovative and engaging store environment that attracted new customers and increased brand loyalty. This project showcased my ability to think creatively, lead change, and deliver results in a competitive market.
I am particularly drawn to M&S's reputation for quality, innovation, and customer focus, as well as its commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. I believe that my skills, experience, and values align perfectly with the company's culture and vision, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.
Call to action & conclusion – Finish off strong
The conclusion of a manager cover letter should end with a call to action and one last example. You should give them the impression that you are bursting at the seams with relevant and interesting stories to share
If possible, finish the cover letter with an electronic signature on the PDF—this adds an element of professionalism.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can help drive sales, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to the overall success of M&S.
Sincerely,
Dean Edwards
How to write a manager cover letter with no experience
Just because your CV doesn’t contain the title manager, it doesn’t mean that you have no chance of securing a promotion with a new company.
Many companies have vastly differing team structures where responsibilities are not always tied to job titles. You may not have been called a manager in a previous role, but you could have been fulfilling the duties of a manager at another company.
Don’t get too hung up on the word manager when writing a manager cover letter. It is your indirect experience that counts.
- You have not directly managed a team, but have you managed relationships with others across the company? It requires many of the same skills.
- Tell exclusively “managerial stories” in the cover letter. Show that you are more than the job title on your CV.
- Explain your motivation: Share with the hiring manager how this next move will impact your career path.
Have an unwavering belief that you can do the job. If you (even slightly) doubt your ability to step up, how can you persuade a prospective employer that you can do the job?
Key takeaway
Hopefully, you are on the way to creating a cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experiences. Focus on your personality and management style – that is difficult to convey in a CV.
Try our cover letter builder to allow you to experiment with the look of the cover letter. Every detail needs to be right before you send it off.
